Photo: The Queen Mary
	The Queen Mary offers numerous elegant and casual dining options.

Oceanic pampering fit for royalty in Long Beach

© 2012 Group Tour Media Article,
June 25, 2012

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The Queen Mary’s impressive passenger list is almost as impressive as the 1,019-foot-long ship itself.

Bob Hope was onboard during the vessel’s final passenger voyage before the start of World War II.

Elizabeth Taylor often traveled aboard with her two poodles.

Audrey Hepburn and her husband, Mel Ferrer, enjoyed a ride on their way to Europe for their second honeymoon in 1957.

Bing Crosby. Fred Astaire. Greta Garbo. Lynne Redgrave. The list goes on.

Today, group tours can feel like stars themselves on this full-service hotel, historical landmark and entertainment venue, which embarked on its maiden voyage in 1935 and has 1,001 transatlantic crossings on its resume. It’s now moored on the Long Beach waterfront.

The Queen Mary offers comprehensive tour packages for 20 people or more. It regularly offers expansive and provocative exhibits, including its most recent, “Diana: Legacy of a Princess,” unveiled this month.

	Photo: The Queen Mary
	Groups get a good look at The Queen Mary's vintage inner workings on various exhibit tours aboard the ship.

The multimillion-dollar collection took more than 30 years to assemble, and comprises 2,000 items relating to the Windsor family. They include a dressing room display featuring nine of Princess Diana’s dresses and gowns; designer-signed fashion sketches of Diana’s famous gowns; designer dresses chosen by the Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge; and handwritten letters from all the major royals.

The interactive, special effects adventure “Ghosts & Legends” guides groups through the deepest innards of the Queen Mary. In the old boiler room, oppressive heat and tight quarters proved a recipe for disaster. The old first-class swimming pool is rumored to see folks splashing around despite the fact that it contains no water.

Groups learn all about the majestic ship’s past, including its groundbreaking construction and time as a troopship during WWII on the “Glory Days” tour. Guides regale passengers with interesting anecdotes, fun facts and true-stories about this legend.

“Her Finest Hour: A WWII Tour,” “Haunted Encounters” and the “Scorpion Tour” submarine tour with its Cold War feel also are available for groups.

Group dining options range from traditional fine dining at Sir Winston’s to contemporary fare at Chelsea Chowder House and the more casual Promenade Café.  

On board spa services include Swedish and stone massage, facials and body scrubs, manicures, pedicures, waxing, reflexology foot care, hair care and makeup services.

Tell us what you think or offer your culinary group travel suggestions to the editor.
Mail: 2465 112th Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
Fax: (616) 393-0085
Phone: 1-800-767-3489 between 8am - 5pm, EST.

There are many more culinary-themed group travel articles available in our Group Tour Media article archive.